TALKS BEGIN TO SETTLE MARKETING PROBLEMS IN ATLANTA

After a "stern warning" from top IOC officials, ACOG Exec
Dir Billy Payne met Friday with Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell to
discuss the city's marketing contract with Munson Steed,
according to the ATLANTA CONSTITUTION. Steed, through his B.G.
Swing Games Management Inc., intends to lease city-owned streets,
building and parks to small vendors and large corporations during
the Games, generating $2.5M for the city. ACOG sponsors are
concerned this will invite "ambush marketing" by competitors.
Susan Langford, Dir of Atlanta's Office of Olympic Coord.: "I
don't know what it will take to calm the sponsors' fears, but we
are only trying to improve the city." Langford added the city
does not plan to cancel the contract, but may reduce the number
of vending spaces (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 10/3).
IBM SIGNS WITH IOC: IBM formalized its agreement with the
IOC to serve as worldwide information technology sponsor for the
Games through 2000. The agreement makes IBM the first Top IV
worldwide sponsor to sign with the IOC (IBM).